Speaking to reporters at the White House Wednesday afternoon, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the White House response to China's repeated threats of retaliation after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. Jean-Pierre reiterated that U.S. policy toward China has not changed and said President Joe Biden plans to "manage what Beijing decides to do."
"There's no reason for Beijing to turn this visit, which is consistent with longstanding U.S. policy into some sort of crisis. There is no reason to do that. We have been very clear there is no change in the One China Policy. The United States does not seek and does not want a crisis here but we are prepared to manage what Beijing plans to do," Jean-Pierre said. "We are prepared to manage what Beijing chooses to do."
The comments came shortly after the Chinese Foreign Minister threatened punishment against the U.S.
Chinese State Councillor & Foreign Minister Wang Yi said about #pelosivisittotaiwan : It's a complete farce. The move seriously violates one-China principle, infringes on China's sovereignty & blatantly engages in political provocations. Those who play with fire will not end well pic.twitter.com/MC08j0jbzj
— Sui Lixi (@lixi_sui) August 3, 2022
Meanwhile, the Chinese military continues to conduct live fire drills after surrounding Taiwan and shutting off shipping lanes.
48 Chinese military aircraft, mostly fighter jets, have now buzzed Taiwan over the past two days
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) August 3, 2022
China says it will conduct large-scale war games in the air and sea surrounding Taiwan in coming days. Taiwan’s defense ministry says in new video, “We are not eager for a fight, nor will we shy away from one.”
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) August 3, 2022